14 Easy and Delicious Brunch Dishes That Are Actually Good for You Slideshow
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Brunch Dishes That Are Actually Good for You
Brunch is no ordinary meal; it's a bizarre mismatch of cuisines and dining norms that permits diners to get blitzed off tomato juice and vodka while devouring grilled coconut-rum French toast - all before noon.
But this strange weekend meal of booze, omelettes, and waffles doesn't have to be an over-indulgent calorie conundrum. Creating brunch at your home can be a delicious and elegant affair as long as you prepare the right foods. Skip the over-the-top waffles, butter-laden hollandaise sauce, slices of Canadian bacon, and deep-fried hash browns, and opt for some lighter fare instead.
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Avocado Fries
Crispy, creamy, and rich avocado fries are light years beyond French fries in nutrition and taste. This simple appetizer requires only five ingredients and can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes. Throw together one of these dipping sauces that are good enough to drink, and your friends will forget all about that pesky avocado toast craze.
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Baked Cranberry French Toast
A complete brunch menu requires both sweet and savory dishes - this baked cranberry French toast covers the sweet side. Save yourself some time in the morning and prepare the dish the night before: Just layer the slices of bread in the bottom of a baking dish and pour in a mixture of coconut milk, almond milk, maple syrup, eggs, and spices and leave in the refrigerator for up to twelve hours. All you have to do the next day is toss the dish in the oven for thirty minutes covered and another thirty minutes uncovered. Baking the French toast also saves you the hassle (and health hazard) of frying it on the stovetop with tablespoons of butter.
Danielle Walker - 4/10
Breakfast Quinoa Muffins
Brunch can be either dainty or extravagant, but these breakfast quinoa muffins are the perfect medium. These handheld muffins are more on the savory side, using a diverse array of vegetables, herbs, and cheeses. A pop of sweetness from roasted cherry tomatoes, a little bit of brightness from fresh basil, and the creamy crunch of quinoa and egg make these breakfast muffins the perfect menu item for any brunch.
a2 Milk - 5/10
Eggless Tofu Salad
Within every group of friends can be found a handful of individuals who adhere to a strictly vegan lifestyle. As a brunch host it's your duty to accommodate for these friends, and this eggless tofu salad allows you to do it with ease. The recipe calls for vegan mayonnaise, tofu, a couple tablespoons of relish, and Dijon mustard in order to mimic the flavor and texture of a classic egg salad. The best thing about this recipe is that it contains hardly any calories.
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Eggs in Purgatory
Who would have thought that purgatory tasted so divine? Eggs are cracked directly into a homemade tomato sauce that's been seasoned with garlic, onion, and basil. This is a low-fat, low-calorie dish that delivers on flavor without the extra carbohydrates of pasta.
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Four-Grain Waffles
A good waffle - crispy on the outside, but fluffy on the inside - can make or a break a brunch. But waffles have gotten a reputation as being a naughty breakfast food because they're often topped with fruit and whipped cream and doused with syrup. This recipe uses rolled oats, whole wheat flour, buttermilk, and cornmeal to create the perfect crunch. The homemade maple apple butter will change your world.
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Gluten-Free Balsamic Zucchini Scones
Scones can be either savory or sweet, but this recipe, which calls for zucchini, balsamic vinegar, and brown rice flour, is the epitome of creativity. Brown rice flour can be purchased at most natural food stores, but it's also simple enough to make in your own kitchen - just pour uncooked brown rice into a blender and pulse (a finer consistency is best for baked goods). At only 106 calories per serving, these scones are the perfect accompaniment to brunch.
Click here for the Gluten-Free Balsamic Zucchini Scones recipe.
Amie Valpone - 9/10
Herbed Parmesan Hash Browns
Yes, you heard correctly. These hash browns are cooked in a waffle press to make them extra crispy and delicious. The recipe requires only three main ingredients: grated russet potatoes, shredded Parmesan cheese, and one large egg. Top them with a fried or poached egg for the ultimate brunch entrée.
istock - 10/10
Mushroom Flatbread
Everyone loves a well-composed flatbread: They're easy to eat and are totally shareable. Flatbreads are thinner and lighter than traditional pizzas, containing fewer calories and saturated fat. Fresh kale and mushrooms give this flatbread a hearty texture and earthy taste. A faint coating of pesto makes this an ideal spring appetizer.
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